“Big City Music” is the theme for The Panama City POPS Orchestra’s 22nd season, inspired, in part, by the title of the artwork that will embellish the organization’s marketing materials.

“For the past ten years The POPS has collaborated with the local arts community to tie the performing arts to the visual arts,” states POPS Board President, Tammala Spencer. “A generous artist donates his or her work to adorn The POPS’ promotional materials. At the end of each season, a fundraising raffle is conducted and a POPS patron goes home with an exceptional piece of art.

“This year, The POPS is grateful for the generous gift of internationally renowned artist and local cultural icon, Paul Brent. It exudes the vibrancy of Panama City’s flagship orchestra and stimulates heightened interest in the coming season,” remarked Ms. Spencer. A 27″ x 31″ giclée printed on canvas, framed and signed by the artist will be on display at each POPS concert.

“Art and music are linked in creative expression,” commented artist Paul Brent. “In Big City Music I wanted to connect the instruments and the city environment visually communicating the various styles of music from classical to jazz and pop.”

Concert Schedule and Titles

POPS Conductor and Music Director David Ott returns to the Marina Civic Center stage unveiling an exciting series of classical and popular music evoking distant places and bygone eras. Full symphonies, myriad overtures and countless compositions by composers from every age will be performed by the orchestra.

The season opens in exciting style on October 21 with a program entitled, “Under the Sea” featuring classical selections by Shostakovich, Smetana and Johann Strauss II.

At the second concert on January13, The POPS makes “Musical Overtures,” a proposition from the likes of Mendelssohn, Rimsky-Korsakov and more.

Everyone’s Irish on March 17, and on that date The POPS shares the joy of Celtic music of all kinds. “Celtic Celebrations” presents guest artists The Mithril Duo to transport the audience on an exotic musical journey to Ireland, Scotland and beyond.

On May 5, the POPS season finale, “How Suite It Is,” is a family-focused program which will enlighten music aficionados of all ages. The POPS takes you from Norway to Never Never Land on a magical, musical vacation for the young and young-at-heart! The dramatic and adventurous Peer Gynt Suite No. 2 by Edvard Grieg and the Peter Pan Suite by POPS Conductor and Music Director David Ott headline the program of our family-focused season finale.

“Next season a vast sea of great music awaits you as The Panama City POPS Orchestra escorts you on a musical tour around the world. Your seat awaits you,” invited the Pulitzer Prize-nominated Ott. “Don’t miss a single note.”

Moments with the Maestro

Carrying forward a new tradition instituted last season, The POPS will offer Moments with the Maestro, a pre-concert lecture series which takes place at the Marina Civic Center, Mezzanine Level, 6:45-7:15pm, prior to each regular season concert. Led by the conductor in a comfortable, intimate setting, the public is invited to hear a medley of information such as the thoughts behind the selections, some of the history of the selections, and the nuances to listen and look for during the concert. The series is open to the general public. Admission is free for Baton-level subscribers and $20.00 for all other patrons.

Tickets

Concert dates for the regular 2017-2018 POPS season are October 21, 2017; January 13, March 17 and May 5, 2018. POPS season tickets are available now at www.panamacitypops.org/tickets/. All regular season concerts will be performed at the Marina Civic Center and will start at 7:30 pm.

Individual tickets are available after September 20 at the Marina Civic Center box office, 850-763-4696, or at www.marinaciviccenter.com. Single ticket prices: $29.50 for Adults; $20 for Seniors 65+ and Active Military; $10 for Children

The official 2016-2017 season opener for The Panama City POPS Orchestra will take place on Saturday, October 15 at the Marina Civic Center, but POPS fans will get a sneak peek at what’s in store for the new season when the orchestra performs Windborne’s The Music of Journey this Saturday during the Chasin’ the Sun Music Festival at Aaron Bessant Park.

Admission to the concert is free. Gates will open at 5:00pm.

It’s a full night of Journey’s greatest hits and maybe one or two that are just for the die-hard fans of one of the greatest rock bands of all time. A band that came together in San Francisco in 1973, Journey rocketed to the top of the charts and stayed there for nearly a decade. With eight multi-platinum albums, two gold, one diamond and 18 top 40 singles, they are one of the top selling rock groups, worldwide, of all time.

Delivering the vocals out front is Panama City artist Terry Brock, returning to the POPS/Windborne stage and acting as a window between the audience and reworked material. “The music itself is one thing, but Terry, along with the background singers, more than captures the spirit of the original songs,” says creator Brent Havens.

The two-hour concert features at least 15 Journey tunes, including Don’t Stop Believin’, Faithfully and Any Way You Want It. Windborne conductor Martin Herman will be on the rostrum for the evening.

Opening the evening and making his Panama City POPS debut, however, will be The POPS’ new Conductor and Music Director, David Ott, leading the orchestra in a medley of Michael Jackson hits. “The POPS is thrilled to be playing the music of Michael Jackson,” punned Ott with a smile, “and we thank the TDC for the opportunity to perform at the Chasin’ the Sun Music Festival. Windborne’s exceptional musicians and our outstanding, full local orchestra combine to present some of rock’s most iconic music with a richness and depth that gives popular tunes a whole different feel.”

For the past ten years the Panama City POPS Orchestra has been well known for its dynamic performances of classical and popular music. “The POPS had fantastic experiences with Windborne’s The Music of The Eaglesin September 2013 and February of 2015,” states POPS Board of Directors President Tammala Spencer. “We are really looking forward to collaborating with Windborne again and showing the community a completely different side of The POPS.”

Concert dates for the regular 2016-2017 POPS season are October 15, 2016; January 14, March 11 and April 29, 2017. All regular season concerts will be performed at the Marina Civic Center and will start at 7:30 pm. POPS season tickets are available at www.panamacitypops.org/tickets. Individual tickets are available at the Marina Civic Center box office, 850-763-4696, or at www.marinaciviccenter.com. Single ticket prices: $29.50 for Adults; $20 for Seniors 65+ and Active Military; $10 for Children.

An additional concert, “Beach Home for the Holidays” is planned for the evening of Friday, November 25 at Aaron Bessant Park, Panama City Beach. Admission is free.